Children as young as 11 are being handed free condoms and emergency contraceptives in school – without their parents' knowledge, it emerged yesterday.

Schools across Wiltshire have introduced drop-in sessions to provide pupils with the morning-after pill, free contraceptives and pregnancy tests.

Children aged 11 to 16 can also receive straight-talking, no-nonsense advice from nurses about sex and relationships.

Swindon Borough Council claims the move was introduced to curb the region's spiralling teen pregnancy rate.

In 2006, 4.5 per cent of girls in Swindon aged between 15 and 17 fell pregnant – well above the national average of four per cent.

The area also has among the highest numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK.

Council chiefs have defended the measures, saying young people ''have a right" to practise safe sex.

But the news triggered outrage from charity campaign group LIFE, which fears handing out condoms could act as an incentive to sexual activity.

Spokesman Michaela the problem of unwanted pregnancies and STIs would not be prevented by ''throwing contraception at children".

She said: ''We feel that it is misguided, inappropriate and irresponsible to give condoms and the morning-after-pill to schoolchildren.

''All the evidence shows it will not lead to a reduction in pregnancy and abortion rates and furthermore is not in the best interests of the physical and emotional well-being of young girls.

''This also sends out a mixed message to children because it will suggest that it is not only okay to have sex but expected of them.

''The problem is younger and younger people are having sex with more and more partners.

"We need to change this culture not just throw contraception at children."

The drop-in sessions were introduced at two schools in the Swindon region last week.

Pupils at Greendown Community School and Commonweal School can now receive free contraception twice a week.

The lunchtime sessions are staffed by school nurses who are forbidden from discussing pupils' visits with anyone – including parents or carers.

A similar service has been available at nearby Nova Hreod School for some time, while the council is trying to persuade seven other secondaries to participate.

Julie Northcott, the council's strategic lead on teenage pregnancy, said: ''We have drop-in sessions available in our schools so that young men and women can chat to the school nurse about sexual health and receive advice.

''It's to help them make an informed decision about sex and relationships and to ensure it is a safe experience.

''If someone comes in and says 'I need condoms or emergency contraception' the nurse will assess whether they are mature enough to make that decision for themselves.

''The nurse is trained to make that assessment and whilst she would always encourage them to talk to family members she can give the medicine without their consent.

''I believe that young people have the right to be able to access services at a place that's convenient and safe and at a time which is appropriate to them."

In 1985, pro-life campaigner Victoria Gillick lost a court battle to prevent doctors prescribing contraception to her daughters without her consent.

Since then, health professionals can offer contraception without parental consent if the youngster is deemed capable and mature enough to make their own decisions.